Celexa (Citalopram) Withdrawal: Symptoms, Duration, & How to Cope

What Is Celexa (Citalopram)?

Celexa is an FDA-approved antidepressant used to treat depression in adults.¹ Celexa belongs to the class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) which work by blocking the reabsorption of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin acts as a messenger that conveys signals between nerve cells, so when there is more in the body, there is an improvement in mood and anxiety symptoms.²

Celexa contains the active ingredient, citalopram. Celexa is sometimes used for other conditions besides the FDA-approved use for major depressive disorder. When a medication is used to treat conditions other than what it is FDA-approved, it is considered an off-label use.

Celexa may be prescribed off-label for the treatment of:¹

• Binge eating disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Panic disorders
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Premature ejaculation

What Is Celexa Withdrawal?

Celexa withdrawal or antidepressant discontinuation syndrome can occur after suddenly discontinuing the medication. Although studies have not linked Celexa to addiction, the antidepressant can lead to dependence and tolerance over time. When you develop a dependency on an SSRI, your brain will have difficulties regulating serotonin levels without it. As serotonin levels decrease, this impacts more than just one’s mental health; serotonin also plays a role in other physiological processes.

Causes of Celexa Withdrawal

Some people choose to skip their dose or switch medications when they feel Celexa does not produce desirable results to improve their depression symptoms. Celexa is meant to treat depression, not cure it, as a person must take the medication daily to maintain appropriate chemical balances and maximize Celexa’s effectiveness.³

When you take the SSRI regularly for an extended time, your brain can become accustomed to this level of serotonin. Therefore, if you discontinue your medication abruptly, your brain is forced to adjust to lower serotonin levels. Before you stop taking your medication or switch to other SSRIs, it would be best for you to get further assistance from your doctor. They will help to develop a plan to taper your medication so you can stop it slowly and minimize withdrawal symptoms.

Celexa withdrawal symptoms can vary in their occurrence, duration, and intensity. On average, symptoms begin within a few days after stopping the medication. Studies have shown more than 56% of people who attempted to discontinue their medication experienced withdrawal effects, with 46% reporting the withdrawal effects to be severe.⁴

Celexa Withdrawal Symptoms

Sudden discontinuation of Celexa medication will likely lead to more intense withdrawal symptoms. Before you stop or start your prescription, it is best to work with your doctor to ensure safe tapering. Also, when you experience severe withdrawal symptoms such as suicidal thoughts and behaviors, you must seek immediate medical attention as fast as possible.

Common Celexa withdrawal symptoms may include:⁶

• Digestive issues: nausea, vomiting, or appetite loss
• Balance problems: feeling dizzy or lightheaded or, difficulty walking
• Sleep problems: insomnia, unusual dreams, or having nightmares
• Flu-like symptoms: headache, tiredness, or muscle pains
• Mood swings: signs of anxiety, agitation, and depression
• Bizarre sensations: brain zaps, ringing in the ears, or hypersensitivity to sound
• Heat intolerance: excessive sweating or be intolerant to high temperatures
• Motor control issues: muscle tension, speech difficulty, or tremors
• Hypomania or mania: bipolar disorder patients are likely to experience manic episodes

Discontinuation vs. Relapse of Depression Symptoms

When you suddenly stop taking your SSRI medication, discontinuation symptoms will emerge within days. However, relapse of depression symptoms usually develops later and more gradually.

Relapses of depression are typically triggered by life stressors, such as:⁷

• Substance use
• Work stress
• Hormonal changes
• Loss of a loved one

Having one or two symptoms of depression doesn’t mean that your clinical depression has returned. However, this can be a sign that you are heading toward relapse. Therefore, it is crucial to reach out to your doctor if you experience symptoms of depression relapse.

Symptoms of a depressive relapse may include:

• Irritability
• Lack of pleasure
• Social withdrawal
• Sleep problems
• Suicidal ideation

To address signs of depression relapse, you can do the following:

• Take medication as prescribed by your doctor
• Participate in social group activities
• Regular physical exercise
• Focus on your strengths

Discontinuation of Celexa While Pregnant

Pregnant individuals should not cut off their Celexa medication abruptly. It is recommended to consult with your prescriber before you discontinue your medication. If you become pregnant while taking Celexa, consult your doctor about the possible risks and benefits of continuing with the SSRI during pregnancy. Pregnant individuals who discontinue their medication therapy have a high chance of depression relapse. Also, postpartum depression is dangerous to the mother and the baby. Additionally there is a higher risk of experiencing preterm labor during their second and third trimesters.⁹

Celexa Withdrawal Timeline

After stopping Celexa medication, it usually takes between one and five days for the withdrawal symptoms to emerge. Citalopram has a half-life of about 35 hours, which is the time it takes for the amount of active substance in your body to be reduced by half. The half-life will also depend on how the body processes and gets rid of the drug. Withdrawal symptoms can begin as Celexa begins leaving your system.¹

Questions to Ask Your Health Team

Before starting or stopping your Celexa medication, you should consult your psychiatrist or doctor on the possible side effects of the medication. Your prescriber will guide you on how to start or stop your medication without encountering severe side effects. Gaining knowledge yourself is critical in ensuring you can take the appropriate steps to slowly tapering off Celexa.

Questions to ask your care team about discontinuing Celexa include:

• Why do you think I should stop this medication?
• Is it going to be dangerous to stop taking Celexa?
• Should I stop taking Celexa all at once or over some time?
• What are the risks of stopping Celexa?
• When should I expect to notice the influence of Celexa’s withdrawal?
• What should I do if something feels off during my withdrawal process?
• Who should I call, and what should I do if I get sick?
• Would starting a new medication help limit the withdrawal symptoms?
• Could my depression get worse after stopping taking Celexa?
• Can I mix my medication with other antidepressants?
• If I take alcohol regularly, can I mix it with Celexa?
• I stopped taking my medication. Should I start taking the medication again?

Coping With Citalopram Withdrawal Symptoms

It can be challenging for one to cope with withdrawal symptoms from Celexa and can require medical and social support. It is always a safer bet to work with your doctor to taper off of a medication by incrementally reducing your prescription over several weeks or months. Social support will play an important role in helping you cope, along with healthy coping mechanisms. Using substances to cope will only worsen the timeline of withdrawal as the reaction between the antidepressant and substance will not interact well.

Below are nine strategies to help relieve symptoms of Celexa withdrawal:⁸

1. Get adequate sleep: Having adequate sleep helps the brain to process emotional information. This can help manage depression because you will have more energy, an upbeat view of life, and better focus when well-rested.
2. Regular exercise: When you have depression, exercise helps prevent and improve health problems, including high blood pressure and diabetes. Exercise can also help improve mood and reduce anxiety.
3. Reach out to family: Family support can play an essential role for those experiencing depression. Your family can provide the much-needed support and understanding and help you get resources to cope with depression.
4. Call a friend: Friends can also help you cope with Celexa’s withdrawal symptoms as they are essential in providing social support and, at some points, the needed resources.
5. Over-the-counter medications: If your Celexa withdrawal symptoms are persistent, you can treat flu-like symptoms or aches with over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-nausea medications.
6. General self-care: Mental health problems can sometimes lead to people inflicting harm on themselves by engaging in unhealthy behaviors. Engaging in health practices that help support your mental health as well as physical health can diminish withdrawals.
7. Support groups: Online support groups have become commonplace for those experiencing mental health problems. These platforms allow people to share their conditions with others and learn how to cope with them over time.
8. Natural remedies: Taking vitamins, minerals, and herbal supplements can help boost your energy, reduce stress and treat sleeping problems.
9. Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy is a general term for treating mental health conditions by talking with a mental health provider. Therapy can help boost your mood, reduce anxiety and soothe irritability.

Final Thoughts

The side effects of any medications taken to treat depression usually vary based on an individual genetic profile and health status. Therefore, before you start taking your Celexa medication for depression, first consult with your prescriber to understand possible risks and side effects you are likely to experience. If you find you no longer wish to continue taking Celexa because of unwanted side effects, speaking with your doctor to find alternatives or consider tapering is the safest route to take. Additionally talking with your doctor about your health conditions or substance use can help you to avoid more severe medication reactions as you begin to detox from your medication